The Role of Metallography in the Study of Archaeological Metal Votive Statuettes from the National Archaeological Museum of Campobasso

This study presents the first metallurgical analysis of twenty-five votive statuettes of Hercules from the National Archaeological Museum of Campobasso, Molise, Italy. These artifacts, which have previously been unexamined from a metallurgical perspective, were analyzed to understand their composition, manufacturing techniques, and current state of preservation. All the samples were first analyzed in situ using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and then were sampled to conduct microstructural analyses on polished cross-sections by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The statuettes revealed a ternary Cu-Sn-Pb alloy, consistent with historical alloying practices and manufacturing techniques typical of the period. The study highlights a homogeneous biphasic microstructure with dispersed lead nodules within the bronze matrix. The corrosion products on the surface have peculiar colors and textures due to both the finishing process and the alteration accord over centuries of abandonment, aiding the understanding of the material’s behavior over time. The compositional results confirm the usage of materials and techniques in line with other coeval artifacts.